Jain Funeral Procedures

Author(s): Tansukh J Salgia
Publisher: Tansukh J Salgia

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APPENDIX A
(A) Soul being eternal, naturally Jains believe in reincarnation. For Jains, it is the Soul, more precisely the state of purification and development of the Soul which is responsible for those aspects of the person to which we are attracted; for example, the pleasant personality, the happiness, the giving and helpfulness, the gentleness, the ability to understand and forgive, the ability to minimize involvement in harming. All of these qualities and virtues are possible because of the Soul; and therefore all of these continue after death into another life form.
Jains believe in Karma; that our actions in thoughts, words and deeds create a re-action and determine the events and occurrences in this present lifetime, as well as continuing into future lifetimes. This natural law is often stated as "As ye sow so shall ye reap." (end of A)
(B) Alternative to (A): Jains believe that there is a divine energy that gives us life. The Sanskrit term for this divine energy is Atmā; the English term is Soul. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; thus the Soul is eternal. Being eternal, the Soul has existed from beginningless beginning and will exist till endless end. For Jains, an independent Soul resides in each and every living being. Jains also believe that each Soul is the doer of its actions and receives and experiences the results of those actions. Thus, it is the results of our actions in thoughts, words and deeds that determine our many pleasant and unpleasant experiences in life. Jains believe that the universe in which we live is fundamentally positive in that liberation of the Soul from the trials and tribulations of this worldly life is possible. As well, there is a means or a method by which liberation is possible. (end of B)
APPENDIX B
'In the Philosophy of Soul and Matter, Gurudev Chitrabhanuji says, "... this consciousness which went through so many stages and which is still developing is not going to be destroyed. Birth and death are seen for what they are: the composition and decomposition of insentient matter. You realize that what you used to call "death" is merely a changing of the forms, but that the sentient energy known as Soul is changeless, immortal. You realize that a change in form is inevitable and you welcome it when it comes, for it is change which keeps life healthy and fresh. You experience yourself as water, ever-flowing in order not to become stagnant, yet eternally living in its own element. So let yourself flow and no fear will come." (pp. 36-37] "As long as we have the concept of 'all is lost!' so long we shall have sadness and tears. Instead, let us see in this light: a person may have gone from your sight, from your circle, but not from the universe. The person has gone from the form, but not from the essence. When we enlarge our vision, we say, 'What is lost? Only the form. A gold ornament may be broken or melted down, but the gold is safe and remains)." [p. 38] "Let us envision the continuity of eternity in each seed, in each form. Let us see the same thing in us. The form becomes broken or decomposed, but there is something in the center which is changeless. That something is (eternal), sentient energy, (Atma/Soul)." [p. 38]
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